CHARLOTTE, NC – LaMelo Ball doesn’t waste time making an impact on the NBA. The rookie point guard became the youngest player in league history to record a triple-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists on Saturday night. « A 19-year-old rookie doesn’t look like that, » said James Borrego, coach of the Hornets, helping the Charlotte Hornets beat the Atlanta Hawks 113-105 for their third straight win. « That is seldom what you see. » Ball’s historic performance came just two nights after missing his first triple-double when he beat his brother Lonzo’s New Orleans Pelicans on 12 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. He said he has not yet started to process the performance. « I live my life and I know what I’m capable of, so something like that doesn’t move me like that, » said Ball. « I know that should happen. » Ball replaced Markelle Fultz as the youngest NBA player to triple-double for 177 days. « He’s a great PG who can pass, ricochet and is a smart player, » said Trae Young of Atlanta. « In this league it will be even easier for him as he plays more and more games. » Terry Rozier had 23 points to lead the Hornets. Cam Reddish scored 21 points and De’Andre Hunter had 20 for the Hawks. Young struggled all night, shooting 5 of 19 off the ground to finish with 15 points and 10 assists. Ball linked his night with the highest scoring 9-of-13 shooting off the field when the Hornets gave the fighting Hawks their fourth straight defeat. He was only the fifth rookie in NBA history to record a triple-double and the first Hornets player to make it off the bench. Borrego said he loved Ball’s mind and energy, but what struck him most is his demeanor and confidence. “He’s not unsettled at the moment. It’s like he’s been doing this for a few years, « Borrego said of Ball, who was playing overseas before becoming the third pick in the NBA draft. Ball had several sharp passes, including a perfect hit behind the back to one Scoring Hit 3-Pointers by PJ Washington. « It’s difficult because you don’t know when it’s coming. He could throw it behind his head, behind his back or directly at you, « joked Washington, who also had 22 points and was on the receiving end of several passes from Ball: » You have to be active and aware when he has the ball. It It’s always fun to play with a guy like that. « TIP-INSHawks: Bogdan Bogdanovic got started on Reddish but left with a knee injury and never returned in the second quarter. There was no immediate update to his injury. Hornets: Charlotte ran that League in assists and had 27 against the Hawks … Gordon Hayward finished on 13 points after averaging 35 points in the past two games. BOY INJURY Boy had his wrist frozen after the game and said he fell on it when he tried to get one He had x-rays after the game but said it was “nothing serious,” although he added, “it definitely hurts.” Young doesn’t seem too concerned about him hasn’t made a 3-pointer in his last two games going too high or too low, ”said Young. “When the shots aren’t fired, I understand the work I’ve done and I know it’s going to pay off.” WASHINGTON BLOCKING SHOTThe 6-foot-7 Washington asked the game for the 5 position for the Hornets when they go to a small ball lineup and he responded well. He had six blocks against the Hawks when the Hornets came back to 500 that season. « I love blocking shots because it gets us out of the transition, » said Washington. UP NEXTHawks: Return home Monday night to host the 76s, the teams’ first get-together of the season. Hornets: Back home on Monday night against the Hawks as they continue a grueling six-game stretch in nine nights .___ Others Coverage of AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBASteve Reed, The Associated Press
Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson are two of the NFL’s most dynamic talents as the Titans try to eliminate the Ravens for the second straight year .
Check out the highlights of the Super Wild Card Weekend Matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and the Buffalo Bills. This game will be streamed live on the Yahoo Sports mobile app or NFL.com.
Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston stops by to see the NHL North Division and the Maple Leafs Court.
Gianluca Mancini’s late goal ensured Roma drew 2-2 at home against title rivals Inter Milan on Sunday and their Serie A aspirations hampered Inter’s win. Lorenzo Pellegrini had made the start for the Roma. The result left Inter three points behind Serie A leaders AC Milan, who won 2-0 at Benevento on Saturday. Both Milanese teams want to end Juventus’ nine-year title fight. Inter stayed three points above Roma third place. Juventus can move to a point ahead of Roma if they later win against Sassuolo at home. The guests are surprisingly only one point behind the Bianconeri in the table. The match in the Italian capital was a head-to-head battle for second place and Inter threatened to take an early lead but Romelu Lukaku’s header was acrobatically thrown over the bar by Pau López. Instead, Roma took the lead in the 17th minute when Pellegrini’s shot found a slight deflection into the lower left corner after a quick counterattack. Lautaro Martínez had ruled out an offside goal shortly before the break, but Inter have often done better in the second half of the season and it has proven itself again. Interer missed several times before Škriniar went into a corner in 56th. Hakimi shot Inter forward seven minutes later as he collected a pass on the right side, cut inward and rolled a punch into the top corner. Inter appeared to be heading for a valuable win but Roma increased the pressure in the final minutes. Mancini had saved a try by Samir Handanovic well, but the defender headed in the resulting corner to equalize .___ More AP Football: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsDaniella Matar, The Associated Press
BERLIN – Wolfsburg defender Marin Pongracic is still dealing with the effects of COVID-19 19 weeks after his infection and had to be withdrawn during the Bundesliga game on the weekend. Pongracic, who was infected with the corona virus on international service with Croatia in November, was replaced at halftime in the 2-2 draw in Wolfsburg at Union Berlin on Saturday. Wolfsburg coach Oliver Glasner said he had fired the 23-year-old defender because he had breathing problems early on in the stadium at the Alte Försterei der Union. « Marin had a lot of problems with the air, » said Glasner. « He had both arms on his knees several times in the first half, as you would normally have done at the end of extra time. For him it was the first time after 15 minutes. » Pongracic had already lacked in Wolfsburg’s last three games The Croatian was responsible for leveling the Union in the 29th minute when his pass for team-mate Xaver Schlager was intercepted by Marcus Ingvartsen. Ingvartsen found Sheraldo Becker free to hit the right post shoot and cancel Renato Steffen’s start in the 10th minute for the visitors. « He is not 100% fit, » said Glasner about Pongracic. « None of us know the long-term effects of the infection. » Wolfsburg was particularly strong from several coronavirus infections Pongracic’s defensive colleague Maxence Lacroix was absent after his COVID-19 infection against Union, while team-mates Steffen, Kevin Mbabu, Josip Brekalo, Pavao Perva n, Maximilian Arnold and Jerome Roussillon have tested positive for COVID-19 since the outbreak began, and they are still suffering from side effects, including a loss of taste weeks after it was infected. « Every now and then you feel weak or have days when it is more difficult to breathe, » said Steffen in a podcast for the radio station NDR2. Arnold was to blame for the Union’s second goal. The Wolfsburg midfielder was sent off for crashing Taiwo Awoniyi. Although the initial penalty decision was reversed after a VAR consultation, Union’s Robert Andrich swept the free kick in the upper left corner of Wolfsburg’s 52nd striker Wout Weghorst, who had to apologize last month for illuminating the coronavirus. Compensation with a penalty in the 66th .___ More AP Football: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports___Ciarán Fahey on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cfaheyAPCiaráN Fahey, The Associated Press
Connor McDavid knows what it looks like to some.
Millionaire hockey players traveling from province to province to play games when everyone else is told not to do anything like the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that is wreaking personal and financial havoc from coast to coast.
« These are unprecedented times, » said McDavid. « We’re not blind to understanding that we’re very happy to come to work to play the game we love. »
However, the captain of the Edmonton Oilers – the superstar of the sport’s superstars – also wants critics to understand that, among other things, the NHL is trying to bring some normality to the increasingly dark winter of 2021.
« People are stuck at home and need something to do, » said McDavid. « We’ll be playing every other day for the next four or five months.
« We’re not just putting our bodies at risk for each other, but also for the fans. »
The shortened 56-game season of the NHL, which includes a one-time northern division consisting of seven Canadian teams to avoid crossing the border – fans are not allowed to enter arenas from today’s perspective – begins on Wednesday. The players were tested every day during training camp, and it will stay that way for at least the first four weeks of the schedule.
And when teams take to the streets, they are limited to the hotel and arena. No restaurants or mingling with the general population allowed.
« It’s supposed to protect us, » said Bo Horvat, Vancouver Canucks captain. « It’s about protecting the people in the community. »
In contrast, a person could fly from Toronto to Edmonton or Winnipeg to Ottawa tomorrow and face no restrictions upon arrival.
« It’s not about apples, » said Marc Bergevin, general manager of Montreal Canadiens. « We are tested every day.
« I am aware that it is not easy for anyone, but it is what it is. »
Like a number of league executives, Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff took part in a number of conference calls as the NHL, the players’ association, and various levels of government worked out public health protocols acceptable to all parties.
« It’s not something that is taken lightly, » he said of playing in a pandemic. « Sport is about more than wins and losses. I think it’s about a mental psyche of a community, a mental psyche of a society.
« I think everyone is looking for something to make them feel good. »
But is it fair that professional athletes can play and make a living if the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, the country suffers 17,000 deaths, businesses fail, and amateur sports – from small hockey to gymnastics – stay on hold?
« I understand there are people against it, » said Jason Spezza of the Toronto Maple Leafs Center. « We are all very aware that we are lucky enough to be able to continue working. »
« We don’t lose what’s going on outside of our four walls, » added Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving to the look. « We have taken all possible precautions to do this safely and responsibly during the time we are in. I understand that there will be differing views and I respect them.
« But I think, as a league, we’ve been thinking about everything. »
The NHL managed to restart its 2019-20 pandemic delayed season in August and September thanks to tightly controlled bubbles that resulted in zero positive tests in Toronto and Edmonton. While the upcoming campaign will involve many measures, it is not the same level of protection.
US-based teams have also banded together in newly formed divisions and, like the franchises north of the border, will only play against these clubs to reduce travel expenses and the chances of infection.
But there have already been cracks.
The Dallas Stars announced Friday that six players and two staff members tested positive for COVID-19 during camp while the Columbus Blue Jackets kept part of their squad off the ice out of « caution ». On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins canceled training for the same reason.
So far, no members of Canadian teams have tested positive during the camp.
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said the rules and protocols actually go beyond the players and include their own personal bubbles, which in turn should create team bubbles that, while not as safe as summer, are intended to further limit the risk of exposure.
« The existing protocols are not just limited to them, but also their families and where they can go and what they can do, » Dubas said. « As we near the end of it all, hopefully we can have fans in our building again and enjoy things as normally as possible in spring and summer. But first and foremost, it’s about everyone’s health and safety. »
Montreal winger Brendan Gallagher said playing not only lifts spirits, but it can also help put the economy in trouble.
« There are so many people who rely on these games, » he said. « It’s a game for us, but it’s a business for a lot of people. If you look at these provinces that are bleeding for money, they need these games.
« We’re in the entertainment business, but it’s a business and there is money to be made. Hopefully we can get through this and everyone can stay safe, but we have a job to do and we were asked to do it. We’re happy to do this to do. »
And while part of society will no doubt oppose it, the Stanley Cup race is now upon us.
« Some people might not like the idea that we can travel and play, » said McDavid. « But we’re lucky enough to come to work and do it for the fans who are at home. »
– With files from Gemma Karstens-Smith in Vancouver.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on January 10, 2021.
___
Follow @JClipperton_CP on Twitter
Joshua Clipperton, the Canadian press
Heinicke may never compete again in a playoff game against Brady, but you play like that and no longer sign up for engineering courses.
CHARLOTTE, NC – LaMelo Ball was that youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. The Charlotte Hornets defeated the Atlanta Hawks 113-105 for a third straight Saturday night.The 19-year-old Ball replaced Markelle Fultz as the youngest NBA player to triple-double for 177 days. Ball, the third choice in the NBA draft, was 9 of 13 off the field when the Hornets surrendered their fourth straight loss to the fighting Hawks. He was only the fifth rookie in NBA history to record a triple-double and the first Hornets player to ever hit that plateau off the bench. Terry Rozier scored 23 points for the Hornets. NUGGETS 115, 76ERS 103PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Nikola Jokic had 15 points and 12 assists to take Denver past Philadelphia, beating a 76ers team that only had seven players available due to injuries and COVID-19 logs. The Sixers overturned without four regular starters – All-Stars Ben Simmons (aching left knee) and Joel Embiid (back) with an injury and Seth Curry and Tobias Harris with virus problems. Coach Doc Rivers said he didn’t think the game should be played. Curry learned of his positive coronavirus test while the team was playing in Brooklyn on Thursday, and the additional health and safety testing, contact tracing, and COVID-19 logs resulted in a number of unavailable players. The team hit the at least eight active players by including injured striker Mike Scott who was actually unable to play. Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers with 39 points in 44 minutes in the 18-of-33 shooting in his first career start. and Isaiah Joe had 13 points. BUCKS 100, CAVALIERS 90MILWAUKEE (AP) – Khris Middleton scored 27 points and Milwaukee resisted twice-reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s absence to beat Cleveland. Antetokounmpo sat down in a loss to Utah Jazz after a bad fall with back pain from the night before. Bobby Portis replaced Antetokounmpo on Milwaukee’s starting grid, scoring 17 points when the Bucks (6-4) closed a home stretch of five games where they went 4-1. After Jrue Holiday made the first basket of the game, Portis scored the bucks’ next 10 points. The bucks overcame a tremendous effort from Cleveland’s Andre Drummond, who had 26 points and 24 rebounds. Drummond became the first Cavalier to have at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in the same game since Anderson Varejao made it against Boston on January 31, 2012. HEAT 128, WIZARDS 124WASHINGTON (AP) – Tyler Herro reached a career height of 31 points and Jimmy Butler nearly had a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists when Miami beat shorthanded Washington. Washington played without the NBA’s top scorer Bradley Beal, who had a late scratch when he was promoted to health in the NBA. Miami has alternated wins and losses in its first eight games. The Wizards have lost their third straight and are winless in five home games. They had also retired without their other start guard, Russell Westbrook, with a left quad injury. Westbrook, who had triple doubles in his first four games with the Wizards, wanted to play the second half of a back-to-back for the first time after sitting out the first two. SPURS 125, TIMBERWOLVES 122, OTMINNEAPOLIS (AP) – DeMar DeRozan scored 38 points and helped San Antonio beat Minnesota on Karl-Anthony Towns’ return to the Timberwolves. DeRozan, who went 13 for 23 off the floor and 12 of 13 off the line, had 13 points after the third quarter and San Antonio’s third straight win came from his relentless rides to the basket. Dejounte Murray (22 points) and Patty Mills (21 points) scored many timely 3-point hits. Towns, who missed the last six games with a partial dislocation of his left wrist, had 25 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes as Minnesota lost seven games. Malik Beasley scored 29 points in 3-point 7v11, his last attempt to pull the Timberwolves within three points by 37 seconds. MAVERICKS 112, MAGIC 98DALLAS (AP) – Tim Hardaway Jr. Trey Burke hit a season high of 29 points, Luka Doncic did the same with 29 points, and Luka Doncic had another triple-double when the short-handed Dallas defeated Orlando. Hardaway and Burke took on expanded roles to help Dallas over 500 for the first time this season with starters Josh Richardson and Dorian Finney-Smith, plus backup point guard Jalen Brunson, who was banned from COVID-19 protocols. The three Mavericks did not return with the Denver team after a 124-117 win in overtime on Thursday. Hardaway and Burke made it a rather quiet second triple-double of the season for Doncic, combining 15 out of 21 from 3-point range. The Star Point Guard had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Suns 125, PACERS 117INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Mikal Bridges hit a career high of 34 points and Devin Booker added 25, leading Phoenix over Indiana defending champions Los Angles Lakers, setting the best record in the Western Conference 7-3 after taking his first road win against the Pacers since 2016. All-star striker Domantas Sabonis had 28 points and reached a career high with 22 rebounds for the Pacers. Phoix took advantage of a late run in the first half to create a 56:53 lead at half time and opened the second half with the first five points. TRAIL BLAZERS 125, KINGS 99SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)) – CJ McCollum scored 37 points and made six 3 The Trail Blazers, led by 31, encountered little opposition from a Kings team who dropped 144 points to Toronto just the night before . Sacramento didn’t do much better defensively on Saturday, losing for the fifth time in six games. McGollum scored 16 points in the first half when the Blazers took the lead 66-49 during the break. He then scored 16 in about seven minutes to start third as Portland completed a 22-8 run that put an end to all hopes of a Sacramento comeback .___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com / NBA and https: / /twitter.com/AP_SportsThe Associated Press
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) – Tom Brady pitched for 381 yards and two touchdowns to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their NFC wildcard game on Saturday night to run past Washington 31-23 to claim their first playoff win since the 2002 season. Brady was 22 years old. George Blanda was the oldest player to throw a TD pass in a playoff game. A 36-yard scoring connection with Antonio Brown was Brady’s longest in the playoffs since 2011, and Brady had to overtake Washington-based Taylor Heinicke, who broke out in place of injured starter Alex Smith in his second pro start and in the playoffs showed. Heinicke – signed to the training team in early December – ran 46 yards and a touchdown and threw 306 yards and a score. The Buccaneers are waiting for the result of Chicago in New Orleans on Sunday to see if they can visit Drew Brees and the Saints or host the Los Angeles Rams next weekend. You would need a bear upset to play at home in the division round. RAMS 30, SEAHAWKS 20SEATTLE (AP) – Cam Akers rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown, Darious Williams gave Russell Wilson’s interception 42 yards for a score and the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Seattle Seahawks in their NFC wildcard playoff game. The league’s best defense during the regular season brought their dominance into the playoffs – even if they missed much of the unanimous all-pro tackle against Aaron Donald in the second half. No team was better at limiting yards or points than the Rams (11-6) and they continued to torment Wilson and the Seahawks (12-5). Donald, before leaving with a rib injury, and Jalen Ramsey were superb. But also other role players like Troy Reeder, Jordan Fuller and Leonard Floyd. Floyd had two of the Rams’ five sacks. Two of the others belonged to Donald. The Rams only allowed 278 yards and 11 first downs. Wilson had one of his worst playoff performances. He was 11 out of 27 for 174 yards. Wilson linked up with Metcalf on a pair of TDs: 51 yards in the first half after a broken game and a 12 yard TD with 2:28 left to make the result more respectable. The Rams caused the surprise without a healthy quarterback for more than three-quarters of the game. John Wolford started the second straight week but suffered a neck injury when he dived headfirst in the first quarter and was hit by Jamal Adams’ shoulder in the helmet. Wolford was taken to hospital as a precaution. BILLS 27, COLTS 24ORCHARD PARK, NY (AP) – Buffalo celebrated its first playoff win in a quarter of a century when Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes, scored another onslaught, and Micah Hyde Philip beat Rivers’ desperate pass for a win against Indianapolis Colts in a wild card game. Buffalo (14-3) was 6-0 down post-season when he won his first playoff game since a 37-22 win over Miami in December. 30, 1995. And it was the Bills’ first home game in 24 years that saw a limited number of 6,700 fans for the first time this season. Allen finished 26 of 35 for 324 yards with a 5-yard touchdown at Dawson Knox and a 35-yarder at Stefon Diggs. The game wasn’t decided until the final game, when Rivers from Buffalo 47 hit fourth and eleventh place. Rivers threw a deep pass for TY Hilton, who was surrounded by defenders on the right side of the end zone. Hyde broke through the crowd, jumped up, and hit the ball to the ground. Rookie kicker Tyler Bass made the difference by hitting a 54-yard field goal to bring Buffalo to 27-16 at 8:08. The Colts (11-6) ended a season in which they won 11 games for the first time since 2014 and reached the playoffs for the second time in three years under coach Frank Reich. Rivers finished 27 of 46 for 309 yards, dropping his career playoff record to 5-7 .___ More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLThe Associated Press
LANDOVER, Md. – New team, same success in the playoffs for Tom Brady. Brady threw 381 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers past Washington 31-23 in their NFC wildcard game on Saturday night and to claim their first playoff win since the 2002 season. « If you win 100-0 it will end up being the same, « said Brady. « It’s good to win and move forward. » Making his 42nd post-season start and initially not wearing a New England Patriots uniform, Brady made the most of the lack of pressure to upgrade the NFL’s secondary defense on 22 passes out of 40. « He’s a fighter, he plays hard, works hard and studies hard, and he’s the man for the job, » said Buccaneers, who ran back Leonard Fournette. Brady had to overtake Washington’s Taylor Heinicke, who showed a breakout performance in just his second Pro start and first in the playoffs instead of the injured starter Alex Smith. Heinicke – signed for the training team in early December – ran 46 yards and a touchdown and threw 306 yards and a score. « He almost hit us on the legs, » Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians said, « He was very elusive. We knew he was going to crawl around, there would be bootlegs and scrambles. We really hoped for Alex because we knew that part of the game wasn’t I’ll be in there. « But Heinicke wasn’t enough to overcome Brady’s brilliance. W. While Bill Belichick and the Patriots started from home with a playoff series of 11 after a 7-9 – Watching this season, Brady has the chance to play in another Super Bowl – at his new home stadium. The Buccaneers await the Chicago result in New Orleans on Sunday to see if they visit Drew Brees and the Saints or on Throw in the Los Angeles Rams this weekend. You’d need a bear upset to play at home in the division round. « It doesn’t matter, » Arians said. That’s all that counts. “Age doesn’t seem to mean much to Brady, who at 43 years and 159 days overtook George Blanda as the oldest player to throw a TD pass in a playoff game. A 36-yard scoring connection with Antonio Brown was Brady’s longest in the playoffs since 2011, Brady was methodical in the first half with 12 deals for 209 yards and wasn’t fired until the last minute of the second quarter. Heinicke made things interesting the third, who is mainly looking for an 8-yard TD by diving at the pylon in the corner of the end zone. The play even caught the attention of reigning Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes, who tweeted, « Bro what!?!?! » In the series that saw Heinicke pound his left shoulder, Brady developed a 69-yard scoring ride who was bounded by a 3 yard gate TD from Fournette. That made it 28-16, which was enough to withstand Heinicke’s attempt to be the unlikely hero. « We are thrilled with the win, » said Buccaneers recipient Cameron Brate. « I hate to say that we are relieved, but at that point we just pumped up and got the win. No matter how ugly it was, no matter how many mistakes we made, a win is a win this time of the year. » HEINICKE WHO? With Smith over a strained right-wing calf, Heinicke made a name for himself in prime time, setting the single-game franchise record for quarterbacks and asking if he should be considered Washington’s QB of the future: « It was brave » Coach Ron Rivera said, « It’s one of those things that a guy like him works hard on what he does. He’s created an opportunity and we’ll see what happens. « Heinicke had only appeared in eight games and started in the NFL on Saturday and one was taking online math classes at the Old Dominion when Washington called him his » quarantine » Quarterback. « BUCS RECEIVERS Brown has a TD catch in four consecutive regular season games, making it the second-longest streak in franchise history. Mike Evans holds the six-game record and was Tampa Bay’s best receiver against Washington with six catches for 199 yards. Maybe playing at FedEx Field has something that gets the most out of Brown. In his only other game in Washington in 2016 with Pittsburgh, he had eight catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Evans had himself in the regular final Season sustained a knee injury. Arians said Evans was 85-90% healthy. INJURIES Bukkans: RG Alex Cappa left the team at the end of the second Qu artals with an ankle injury and did not return. Arians said it looks like a fracture and is expecting more x-rays, but added that it « doesn’t look good » for Cappa next weekend. Washington: RB Antonio Gibson hobbled after a game in the first quarter but stayed in. He has struggled with a persistent toe injury that resulted in him missing two games recently. UP NEXT Washington: Lost in the wildcard round, just like in the last playoff appearance five years ago. Buccaneers: In the Divisional Round this coming weekend, and Drew will be visiting Brees and the Saints if New Orleans beats Chicago, or hosts the Los Angeles Rams if the Bears stir things up on Sunday .___ More AP NFL: https: // apnews. com / NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLStephen Whyno, The Associated Press
SCOREBOARDSunday, Jan. 10, Baltimore, Tennessee, 1:05 p.m., ESPN and ABC. The street team has won each of the last four playoff meetings between the franchises. The Ravens (11-5) are making their third straight playoff trip and their ninth in 13 years under coach John Harbaugh. Lamar Jackson threw 11 touchdown passes and ran four points in five games during Baltimore’s winning streak to end the regular season. The Titans (11-5) are playing for the third time in the playoffs in four seasons and for the second time in a row under Mike Vrabel, the third year coach. Derrick Henry had 2,027 yards to become the eighth player in NFL history, reaching 2,000. He also led the NFL with 17 TD runs. Chicago in New Orleans, 4:40 p.m. CBS and Nickelodeon. The Bears (8-8) bounced back from losing six games earlier in the season and made the playoffs for the second time in three years. Chicago went 6-1 against teams that had won records in the regular season. The only win came on October 8th against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers at Soldier Field. Drew Brees and the Saints (12-4) enter playoffs with two of them Alvin Kamara has been activated from the Reserve / COVID-19 list and broad receiver Michael Thomas from the injured reserve. Brees missed half of a game and all four others with rib and lung injuries but has played three games since returning to the active squad. Cleveland in Pittsburgh at 8:15 p.m. NBC. The teams split their two regular season meetings this season and won each at home. The Browns (11-5) appear in the playoffs for the first time since the 2002 season. But they will do without first year coach Kevin Stefanski, who will miss the game after testing positive for COVID-19. The special team coordinator, Mike Priefer, will handle the side tasks. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is 13-8 in the playoffs but only 5-6 since Pittsburgh’s last Super Bowl title in 2008. He’s the only player on the roster with a Super Bowl ring and one of only nine Steelers who have a playoff win in Pittsburgh on their resume .__ STARSPassing – Josh Allen, Bills, was 26 of 35 for 324 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score as he led Buffalo to his first playoff win in 25 years, 27-24 across Indianapolis. – Tom Brady Buccaneers threw for 381 yards and two touchdowns to take Tampa Bay past Washington 31-23 in their NFC wildcard game for the franchise’s first playoff win since 2002. – Jared Goff, Rams, stepped out for injured starter John Wolford less than a two weeks since he surgically inserted three pegs into his broken right thumb and 9 of 19 for 155 yards and a touchdown in the 30:20 Los Angeles win went in Seattle .___ rushing – Cam Akers, Rams, ran 131 yards and a touchdown on 28 bears in Los Angeles 30-20 win at Seattle. – Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers, had 93 yards and a score of 19 transfers to put Tampa Bay at the top of Washington 31-23 .___ Received – Stefon Diggs, Bills, caught six passes for 128 yards and a touchdown at Buffalos 27 -24 victory Indianapolis. – DK Metcalf, Seahawks, had two touchdown catches in one loss when Seattle fell to the Los Angeles Rams 30-20 .___ Specialized Teams – Tyler Bass, Bills, scored the deciding points when the rookie kicker hit a 54-yard -Hit scored field goal to put Buffalo in the lead 27: 016, 8:08 on the way to a 27-24 win. – Ryan Succop, Buccaneers, scored four field goals in Tampa Bay’s 31-23 win over Washington .___ Defense – Darious Williams, Rams, returned 42 yards for a touchdown in Los Angeles’ 30:20 win in Los Angeles Seattle. – Micah Hyde, Bills, fought Philip Rivers’ desperate pass to seal Buffalo’s 27:24 win over Indianapolis. ___ MILESTONES 43 years and 159 days, Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady overtook George Blanda as the oldest player to throw a TD pass in a playoff game. Brady had three touchdown throws in the Buccaneers’ 31:23 win over Washington. … With his 5-yard TD run and two TD passes in Buffalo’s 27:24 win over Indianapolis, Josh Allen became the fifth player since at least 1940 to score a touchdown in his playoff career. Allen took a 16-yard catch from John Brown in a 22:19 loss in Houston a year ago. Nick Foles, Kordell Stewart, Freeman McNeil, and Julian Edelman all joined in to accomplish the feat. STREAKS & STATSBuffalo won 6-0 after the season and won their first playoff game since 1995 by beating Indianapolis 27-24. The Bills’ last playoff win was on December 30, 1995 against Miami. That win marked the Bills’ first home playoff game in 24 years. … Buffalo has won seven games in a row. … The Los Angeles Rams ended Seattle’s 10-game home winning streak in the playoffs with a 30:20 win. The Seahawks’ last home defeat in the playoffs came in January 2005 to the St. Louis Rams. … Los Angeles’ Cam Akers ran 131 yards against Seattle, the best rushing day for a Ram since Marshall Faulk hit Philadelphia in January 2002 at 159 yards. Aker’s 176 yards before scrimmage was the second most frequented by a rookie in Seattle, a Super Bowl-era playoff game only surpassed by Timmy Smith’s 213 for Washington in the Super Bowl in 1988. RAM TOUGHT The Los Angeles Rams senior defense brought their dominance to the playoffs with a 30:20 win in Seattle. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks were held just 278 yards and 11 first downs against a unit that had missed an injured, unanimous all-pro tackle against Aaron Donald for much of the second half. Donald and Leonard Floyd each had two of the Rams’ five Wilson sacks. OLD BUT Tom Brady from GOODIESTampa Bay and Philip Rivers from Indianapolis joined the Pro Football Hall of Famer George Blanda as the only players 39 years and older who could throw in at least two TD passes. Brady was Blanda’s oldest player for 43 years and 159 days who threw a TD pass in a playoff game. Brady had two touchdown throws in the Buccaneers’ 31:23 win over Washington. The 39-year-old Rivers threw two hits in the 27:24 loss of the Colts to Buffalo. Blanda also had two TD throws with the Raiders against the Baltimore Colts in the 1970 AFC Championship at the age of 43. With Alex Smith on a tense right calf, Taylor Heinicke started for Washington and threw for 306 yards and a score, adding 46 yards of rushing and a TD in a 31-23 loss to Tampa Bay. Heinicke had only appeared in eight games and had started one in the NFL before Saturday. He was taking online math classes at the Old Dominion when Trainer Ron Rivera called him Washington’s « quarantine quarterback. » He set Washington’s single-game franchise rushing record for quarterbacks and raised the question of whether he should be considered QB of the team of the future. SIDELINEDRams all-pro-defensive tackle Aaron Donald left Seattle with a rib injury in the third quarter of Los Angeles’ 30:20 win. Cooper Kupp, a Los Angeles recipient, has been hobbling on his right knee for the last few minutes. … Rams who started QB John Wolford was 3 of 6 and passed for 29 yards and had a run for 2 yards before injuring his neck. Tampa Bay right guard Alex Cappa left the team with an ankle injury in the late second quarter of the Buccaneers’ 31:23 win over Washington and never returned. SPEAKING – “We come here and have been told all week how good you are and how we snuck into the playoffs. Two weeks ago you saw them smoking cigars and looking forward to beating us and winning the division and we could come here and beat them. “- Rams quarterback Jared Goff after Los Angeles beat the Seahawks in Seattle 30:20. – “I didn’t have time to party and record, but that’s great for the Bills organization, the city, to be able to play a home game and get a win. We’ve been working on it since 2017, but on a day like today we worked so hard to stay ahead. « – Bills Safety Jordan Poyer after Buffalo defeated Indianapolis 27-24 for the franchise’s first playoff win in 25 years .___ More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLThe Associated Press
Old hat for Brady, new thrill for Buffalo. And a defensive jewel for the Rams. In the first triple header of the NFL wildcard games on Saturday, Tom Brady extended his record after the season to 31 with a 31:23 win for Tampa Bay at Washington 31. Brady was the key to New England, winning six Super Bowls for a total of 9. Now he has the Buccaneers (12-5) for their first playoff win since their run to the NFL title in 2002. After a quarter of a century the Bills got one of those triumphs that Brady amassed – and they even figured out how to stop a Hail Mary. Buffalo (14-3) scored 0 on Saturday against Indianapolis (11-6) : 6 post-season skid with a 27:24 win … The previous play off win was on December 30, 1995 against Miami. And it was the Bills’ first home game in 24 years, with a limited number of 6,700 fans for the first time this season. Los Angeles (11-) 6) rattled Russell Wilson and dominated, despite the lack of a unanimous all-pro defensive bout against Aaron Donald for much of the second half of a 30-20 Seattle win. A Pick-6 from Darious Williams made a major contribution, as did five sacks, two from Donald. Buccaneers 31, Washington 23Brady threw 381 yards and two touchdowns in his 42nd post-season start, and firstly, not in a New England uniform. He made good use of all of his guns, from recipients Mike Evans, Antonio Brown, and Chris Godwin to Cameron Brate and Leonard Fournette. But the Tampa Bay defense leaked and Washington’s unannounced Taylor Heinicke on his second pro start in place of injured starter Alex Smith ran 46 yards and a touchdown, throwing 306 yards and a score. In the end, however, it was another W for Brady: « He’s a fighter, he plays hard, works hard and studies hard. » Fournette said of Brady: « And he’s the man for the job. » Well – for two decades. Bills 27, Colts 24Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes, scored another rush and Micah Hyde fought Philip Rivers’ desperate pass to finish the game. Buffalo will host an AFC division round match. « It doesn’t matter what it looks like, » said Allen. « It’s the playoffs. It wins or goes home and we did it. We have to focus on the one we have next week. » Buffalo’s last loss before winning the next six games and the AFC East crown was Hyde one of three defenders who failed to knock the ball down. DeAndre Hopkins ’43 yard jump on Kyler Murray’s desperate throw – the « Hail Murray » – won that game for Arizona. The bills have learned from this, and Philip River’s stake for TY Hilton was incomplete. « It’s been a long time since Bill’s Mafia could party like this, » Allen said. « But it’s a game. » Rams 30, Seahawks 20 « Lots of people rose and answered the bell in great ways » said Rams coach Sean McVay, « Darious Williams showed up, I thought that would be a huge momentum shift for us. “Cam Akers rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown. and Jared Goff, though shaky for parts of the game, replaced injured starting quarterback John Wolford early and avoided major mistakes. Less than two weeks after right thumb surgery, Goff was able to complete the win with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Robert Woods: « I think it was really just a sting. It definitely seemed good, » McVay said about Wolford. SUNDAYBrowns (11-5) at Steelers (12-4) For their return to the playoffs after a 2003 drought, the Browns will miss coach Kevin Stefanski and the standout security guard Joel Bitonio because of C OVID-19 problems, and otherwise they are not that healthy at all. You haven’t exercised much this week. Perhaps their familiarity with their arch-rivals, who won AFC North but lost four of their last five after 11-0, will help. Cleveland also beat Pittsburgh in the season finale, but the Steelers rested many regulars, including QB Ben Roethlisberger and all-pro Edge rusher T.J. Watt.Key to this matchup could be the floor games. Cleveland is strong with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt while Pittsburgh is struggling. Chicago (8-8) vs. New Orleans (12-4) Though the Saints took overtime to beat the Bears in November, they’re solid favorites here after winning their fourth straight NFC South Crown. Drew Brees is likely in his final playoff run and has the best weapons to beat RB Alvin Kamara and, if healthy, Michael Thomas. Plus, in many ways, New Orleans has defenses as strong as Chicago’s. The bears need their defenses to be at their best as they face few threats other than WR Allen Robinson. They are the third team since the 1970 merger to reach the playoffs after losing six. Ravens (11-5) at Titans (11-5) They met in the division playoffs last year and Derrick Henry ran over the Ravens for 195 yards. They met in the regular season and the all-pro who ran back had 133 yards in the OT win in November en route to a 2,000-yard season. Baltimore has its own highly efficient running game, a tripartite operation with quarterback Lamar Jackson and RBs Gus Edwards and rookie JK Dobbins. The Ravens averaged an NFL high of 191.9 yards per game, and their 3,071 yards were the third highest in NFL history. Oddly enough, this is the fifth playoff meeting, and the road team won each of the top four .___ More AP NFL: https: //apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFLBarry Wilner, The Associated Press </ p MINNEAPOLIS – DeMar DeRozan scored 38 points Saturday night to help the San Antonio Spurs beat Minnesota 125-122 in overtime and spoil Karl-Anthony Towns' return to the Timberwolves The line had 13 points after the third quarter and scored the third straight win for San Antonio with his relentless drives to the basket. This put together his most points in three seasons with the Spurs, also scored against Utah on January 29, 2020. "When the game is over, I think it's imperative and my job to go out there and make a difference and pull out a win," said DeRozan, who tried no shot in the first quarter. "You make it look like you're playing Connect Four and understand which moves put you in the best position when the slots close you." Towns, who has missed the last six games with a partial posting on his left wrist, had 25 points and 13 rebounds in 37 minutes as Minnesota's losing streak hit seven games. He said the original schedule for his recovery from the injury was six to eight weeks. "I tried to be as hard as I could to be here for this team," said Towns, "even when it was necessary to play with one hand." Malik Beasley hit 29 points in 7v11 shooting from 3-point range, his last attempt to pull the Timberwolves within three points, 37 seconds from the end. Cities had a miss from DeRozan on the other end, but rookie Anthony Edwards drove unnecessarily to the basket and let his desperate kick-out pass intercepted by LaMarcus Aldridge. Minnesota scored three 3-point starts in the final 2:14 of regulation, from Edwards, Towns and D'Angelo Russell, but DeRozan fearlessly responded with nine points in the final 1:29. The climax was a three-point game with 55 seconds clear that gave San Antonio a 109-107 lead as he drove off Edwards, drew the handcheck foul and rebuilt a playground-like up-and-under layup to avoid the long arms of the cities. “He's a beast. This is DeMar. … we believe in him. We're really, really confident in him, ”said Dejounte Murray, who had 22 points and 14 rebounds. After DeRozan made two free throws 12 seconds from time, the Timberwolves had the final shot, but Russell's forced top-of-the-key attempt in a crowd ricocheted off the edge. "This is holding on to the vitality, the fiber that you have to have," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. TIP-INSSpurs: Patty Mills scored 21 points in 5v8 shooting from 3-point range. He's hitting 56.9% from a distance this season. … Backup Big Man Drew Eubanks was not on the team due to the health and safety protocols of COVID-19. Assistant coach Becky Hammon and one other employee were also absent for quarantine requests. Timberwolves: Naz Reid, who was banked again on the return of the cities, had 16 points in 16 minutes. … Edwards had 13 points, half the career high he posted in Portland on Thursday. … Josh Okogie (strained left thigh) missed his sixth game in a row. GOING TO TOWN The Timberwolves lost their six games without Towns by an average of 20 points due to the lack of production in the post and rim protection. “I. I will always drive with KAT, "said coach Ryan Saunders." People don't know his tenacity. "Cities with a dark blue tinge on their forearms and pink Nikes on their feet in the ultimate clash with the deputy team's neon green uniforms also grimaced as he worked his way through the ongoing discomfort. He had 12 points in nine minutes of the third quarter. "We have to be able to play hard, whether he plays or not," said Beasley. FAMILY COURTRookie point guard Tre Jones, who turned 21 on Friday, didn't play in his first homecoming game. Duke's second-round draft pick won the Minnesota State Championship Games at the Target Center 2017 with Apple Valley High School in 2015.UP NEXTSpurs: After completing the back-to-back set, a San Antonio wins against the Wolves and on Sunday ends a five-game road trip in Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Timberwolves: After the rematch with the Spurs, Minnesota continued that homestand on Wednesday with four games against Memphis .___ More AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/NBADave Campbell, The Associated Press
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The league wanted the lumps of money its broadcast partners had in front of them at the start of Christmas week, and even knew the inherent risk from that point on .
American golfer Justin Thomas apologized after using a homophobic bow in the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions on Saturday in Hawaii. The incident occurred on the fourth hole after Thomas, the defending champion, missed a 5-foot par putt. When the world’s number 3 player knocked on the bogie, microphones picked up the bow, which the 26-year-old later apologized for using. « There’s just no excuse, » said Thomas. « I’m an adult. I am a grown man. There is absolutely no reason for me to say such a thing. It’s terrible. I’m extremely embarrassed. It’s not who I am. It’s not the kind of person who I am But unfortunately I did and I have to afford it and I apologize very much. « Thomas said he was only aware after his round that it had been picked up and was a topic on social media. CLOCK | Justin Thomas apologizes for the homophobic bow: « Like I said, it’s inexcusable. I’m speechless. It’s bad. There’s no other way to put it. I have to do better. I have to be better, » he said . « It’s definitely a learning experience. I apologize deeply to everyone I’ve offended and I’m getting better because of it. » Thomas is likely to be punished for behavior that doesn’t turn into a pro – although the PGA Tour does not disclose a behavioral penalty. « As he put it after his round, we agree that Justin’s comment was unacceptable, » the PGA Tour said in a statement. A year ago, Scott Piercy lost two advertising deals for sharing a homophobic meme against gay Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg when he announced he was going to suspend his campaign. Piercy also referred to the far right conspiracy theory QAnon. Patrick Reed also apologized in Shanghai in 2014 when he cursed a homophobic bow after three putts. Thomas, who reached number 1 in the world for a week last year, is the defending champion in Kapalua. He finished Saturday on a 5-under 68 and is four shots behind the lead.
Check out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers highlights against the Washington Football Team during the 2020 Super Wild Card weekend. This game will be streamed live on the Yahoo Sports mobile app or on NFL.com
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